A/N: Part 3 of my Christmas Carol AU for Amnesia. Weyer's next visitor is the Ghost of Christmas Present, who takes him on a little trip around town [and further]. This is the longest part [over 4,000 words -whEEZES] as there was a lot of ground to cover, plus the addition of a character I failed to mention in the previous part. I'm sure you can guess who that is.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent (c) Frictional Games
A Christmas Carol (c) Charles Dickens
Muses used (c) Kaliedo-Star and Bluethemoonwolf
~Christmas Eve, 1843~
Before Weyer could get his bearings and go back to bed, another familiar and cheery voice sounded out from a corner. "Yoo hoo! Oh, Weyer!"
The Dutchman turned to where the voice came from, seeing what looked like his friend in the corner. "Malo? Or..." he stopped, remembering his adventure with Past. "Are you a ghost as well?"
"Ah, a bright one you are!" The spirit strode forward and bowed in a typical French aristocratic nature. "I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. I rest assured you know why I appear to you as one Malo de Vigny." Weyer merely nodded, getting the hint. "Well then, let's not waste time, shall we? There's so much festivity going on and you're missing out! Come!" It quickly took Weyer by the hand and led him outside.
Their first stop was to a young couple's apartment. Weyer recognised them as Justine and Aloïs, friends of Malo's. They had recently become engaged and with the money they had, they bought their own flat in Calais. The couple hoped that by the time they would be married, they would be able to get an actual house and try to start a family. But right now, the lovers embraced on the couch in front of the fire, sharing a bottle of wine.
"I haven't seen Malo in ages," Justine mused. "It'll be good to see him at his dinner."
"It surely will," Aloïs replied.
The young lady turned to her fiancé. "Who all is going besides us?"
Aloïs thought for a moment as he recollected who all was going to attend the Christmas dinner. "Let's see... Do you remember Basile? He's volunteering at an orphanage in London, he'll be going. I spoke with him earlier today, he's also invited Monsieur Agrippa and his family."
"Isn't Monsieur Agrippa seeing... Monsieur Weyer?"
Aloïs sighed, "Yes, the poor soul."
"Poor Weyer, indeed," Justine agreed. "It's saddening to see how grognon he is, especially around this time of the year."
"Mmhm," the young man hummed. "He is quite the scrooge. I have the sneaking suspicion he will fall into ill favour later in life. But who knows. He's still young like us. Maybe something in him will change."
Justine smiled, "Nothing says 'Christmas miracle' like Weyer being joyous and friendly on Christmas day."
This brought a chuckle from Aloïs. Quickly, he sobered up and pulled something out of his pocket. "I have something for you."
"Aloïs, it's still Christmas Eve!"
"This one's early." He insisted, "Go on, open it."
Smiling in anticipation, she opened the small box to reveal a stunning necklace. "Oh, Aloïs, mon amour! It's magnifique!"
"I thought you would like it." He helped her put the necklace on. "It is almost as beautiful as you."
"Almost?"
"You will always be the most beautiful thing on Earth to me."
Justine beamed and kissed him. "Je t'aime, Aloïs."
"Je t'aime aussi, mon Justine."
Weyer was perplexed. Why would someone like Mademoiselle Justine be the slightest bit concerned about him? With Aloïs, it was more understandable. They were friends, in a sense, by association, both being friends with Malo.
"They have every right to be concerned, you big grump," the spirit's voice startled him. "Just because you do not know each other very well doesn't mean they don't care for you to some degree."
Before Weyer could reply, the ghost had taken his hand again and walked outside, this time returning to London, where they could see a disgruntled man doing last minute Christmas shopping before the last of the stores closed. Despite his older appearance, the Dutchman recognised him immediately.
"Verstalt!? What on Earth is he doing in London!?"
"Ah," the spirit mused, "your childhood bully."
Weyer could not tear his eyes away from his former tormentor. "Why didn't the other ghost show him and the treachery he had done upon me?"
"You wished not to see it." Present then pulled a little at its collar. "To be honest, neither would I."
He could only growl a curse under his breath. He knew that if the two crossed paths, there was no way the meeting would be civil, which would lead to one or both of them taking a trip to a doctor and Agrippa worrying over him like the mother hen he was. The brief thought of Agrippa made his heart feel heavy, remembering their fight before he went to bed.
"Ah, well, let's not continue to bother with him," the ghost piped. "There are more merry souls to see!" It once more took Weyer by the hand and lead him to a small house. The man had only been there a few times, but it didn't take a genius to realise this was Daniel's house.
Inside, he could see him and his roommate, Xaniel, putting together dinner. Daniel's sister, Hazel, was already seated at the small table. The poor girl was sickly ever since she was a child, but she somehow managed to live this long. Everyone believed it was her strong spirit and will that got her this far. Even now, though she appeared as if death was knocking on her door, she was in a very bright mood.
The two young men brought the food from the kitchen and set it on the table. They then took their own spots at the table and joined hands with Hazel.
"Who would like to say the prayer this time?" Daniel asked.
Hazel gazed at him with big, hopeful eyes. "May I, Danny?" her soft voice sounded out.
Her brother smiled, "Sure, Hazel." Xaniel nodded in agreement, smiling as well.
She wiggled a little in her seat, then began the prayer. "Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the birth of Your Son, and the celebration of His life. We give thanks for our family and friends, and that we can be together in this blessed time. We ask that You keep them in mind, especially Mr Weyer."
Weyer's eyes widened when the young girl said his name. She continued, "To others, he is seen as nothing more than a grumpy scrooge, but I know he is a kind soul, and I hope You see it, too. Help him to remember that He is the reason for this season. Help him to see that he is loved and cared for during this blessed season. Help him to see that he is never alone."
He would've been lying if he had said he wasn't surprised. This sickly young girl spoke so kindly of him, he could've sworn his heart was melting. Soon, she finished up the prayer, a broad smile present on her face. "We give You thanks on this Christmas Eve, and God bless us, every one. Amen."
Daniel smiled as broadly as his sister. For such a tiny girl, plagued with sickness all her life, she had a big heart. Weyer could see this as well and was fighting to keep tears from rolling down his cheeks.
The two men said their amens and fixed their plates, Daniel fixing Hazel's plate first. "I'm sure if Weyer were here to hear your prayer, he would love it." Little did he know that the man in question was standing not five feet away from their table, listening to every word being spoken.
Xaniel spoke up, subconsciously moving a lock of his snowy hair behind his ear, "I agree he would. I certainly did. It was a very touching prayer." Daniel nodded in agreement, causing Hazel's already broad smile to widen more.
The spirit was now standing beside the trio as they ate their meal, conversing about this, that, and the other. "How astonishing it is for someone in such a state as hers to be in high spirits. Seeing as she hasn't much time left."
Weyer looked up from Hazel to Present. "What do you mean?"
"Her illness will ultimately claim her life."
Shocked, he stammered, "A-are you s-saying... she'll die?"
It nodded. "And soon."
He could barely believe what he was hearing. "But she has such a strong will to live! Don't you see that!? She can't die!"
The ghost had a solemn expression on its face. "Strong will and spirit will only get her so far, and it won't be able to carry her on much longer. She is in need of proper care."
Weyer understood why Daniel hadn't sought medical treatment for Hazel. While the Englishman was paid rather well, the salary would not be enough to cover all of the expenses. Xaniel, in a bid to help with funding a future stay in hospital, had gotten a job as well. It didn't pay as well as well as his roommate's job, but it significantly helped in saving up enough to at least start on treatment, but wouldn't be able to last for many sessions. The cost for the full care she was in desperate need of was way more than the both of them combined could afford.
"There has to be something that can be done..."
"There is," Present answered, "but you must figure out the answer yourself."
Weyer dishearteningly gazed at the clerk's little sister, who seemed blissfully unaware that her life would soon be over. He could not have felt more terrible. He turned his gaze away for a moment, only to find that he was no longer in Daniel's house, but Malo's instead. The man in question, along with another man with obsidian black hair, was putting up extra decorations in preparation for the dinner tomorrow.
"So when are Theo and Agnes going to arrive?" he asked his helper.
"They should be here sometime in the morning," the man answered. That voice, that tone. There was no mistaking it. It was Hans. That meant that if he was there, so was Schultz and Agatha. Sure enough, the two emerged from another room, carrying more decorations. A third man entered behind them, also carrying a box of decorations.
"Arnold!?"
"What, did you forget he was invited?" the ghost feigned a hurt tone.
The group kept themselves busy setting up the decorations, but just because their hands were busy didn't mean their mouths weren't.
"How many people are even coming besides us?" Schultz asked.
"Oh," Malo replied as he strung garland along the top of the window, "aside from you all and Arnold's parents, his brother and his family should be coming too."
"Johann's coming?" Arnold sounded surprised. "He hates social events."
"Ah, that he does," the Frenchman replied, "and he even said he declined, but just you wait. Come tomorrow, he'll be here. I know he will."
"And how would that work?" Agatha piped.
Malo turned around a little to try and face her, but lost his balance on the ladder and fell backwards, the string of garland coming off of the window as he yelped upon landing.
"Malo, are you alright!?" Weyer cried out on instinct, concerned for the wellbeing of his close friend, but soon remembered that he couldn't hear him. The question, however, was repeated by the others in attendance.
Malo quickly got back up and dusted himself off. "I'm alright, don't worry." Bending down to gather up the garland, he answered the young woman's question. "He'll have either changed his mind or Agrippa would end up dragging him along."
"Agrippa!" Arnold cried. "I almost forgot they had been seeing each other for some years now."
"It's quite easy to forget a lot of things about him when we haven't seen him in years," Hans said. "It's been so long, I don't think he knows you and I are married, Aggie."
Agatha sighed, "верно. I wish he could've been at the wedding."
"Despite your little crush on him?"
"That was a long time ago, don't you remember?"
"I know, I know. I'm only saying."
Arnold waited a moment before jumping in. "I don't understand why he's become so withdrawn. Ever since he was a teenager..."
Schultz felt empathy for his Dutch friend. He was the pessimistic one of the twins and he could relate to how he felt, though with some help from his brother and sister-in-law, he was starting to see more on the brighter side of things, though looking at the negative was still a habit for him. Maybe someday that would end, but that seemed to be a long ways off. He could only hope that Weyer would see the light a lot sooner than he would at the moment.
"Well," Malo spoke, "in brighter news, he and Agrippa adopted a child."
"Really?" Arnold's voice sounded.
"That's wonderful!" Agatha exclaimed.
Malo hummed. "His name is Dimitri. He is such an angel. Although, he and Weyer don't get along very well."
"Why is that?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure. They're just not on the same page with each other for some reason."
"Much the same with your parents," the spirit interjected, having gone to sit precariously on the window sill.
"Much the same with Mother and Father," Arnold added. "More so Father than Mother. He was quite imposing on us when we were younger. When I came of age, he stopped behaving that way towards me, but it wasn't the same story for Johann. Father all but tortured him."
Schultz rubbed the back of his neck. "If so, would having Theo and Weyer in the same room be a good idea?"
"Father has changed a lot since we were young," the elder Weyer brother explained. "He's had the time to think about how he treated him and believe me when I say he feels verschissen about it."
Malo raised an eyebrow. "I know absolutely nothing of the German language, but I'm sure that word is not a good one."
"You'd be correct."
"Ah."
Hans spoke up, "Well, if Weyer does come, maybe they could make up, hopefully be on good terms with each other for the first time in ages."
"I agree," Arnold replied. "I do hope he comes."
"Well, come on then," Malo and the ghost spoke in unison, nearly startling Weyer, "let's finish getting these decorations up for the dinner, eh?"
Everyone nodded in agreement and were soon back to decorating, though there was still a lot of chitchat. Weyer was dumbfounded. "Father has changed?"
"I'm the wrong person to ask, you know," it answered. "I know all of the answers, but do not think for a second that I will tell you them."
The spirit had a point. It was there to show him how to find the answers, not the answers themselves. "Come," it said, "we have one more stop, and if I were you, I'd take note of where we're going."
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.
"You'll see." It led Weyer a few blocks down the street, the short journey giving him time to view sights he had seen earlier, but taking in much more detail this time. People leaving donations for the Salvation Army, greeting each other merrily as they went on their way. He had seen Verstalt once more, who was carrying a large package. What on Earth was he going to do with it? The Dutchman did notice that he seemed less disgruntled than before. Maybe the package or something else he was carrying was quite hard to get a hold of and he was relieved that he managed to find it. Who knows.
His attention went back to the scenery about him. He could clearly see beautiful Christmas trees standing in shop and home windows, the tinsel glittering when light caught them. He had been quite caught up with his surroundings that by the time he looked in front of him again, it took him a moment to realise they were following Verstalt. They followed him all the way up to an old building.
The spirit turned to face him, walking backwards as a result. "Do you see where we are now?"
Weyer looked up to see the sign in front of the building, which read 'Mayfair Children's Home'. "We're at the orphanage...?"
"Correct," Present smiled and led him inside. The first person they came across was Basile. He volunteered as much as he could, helping out with the children with any projects they were working on. Mostly, those projects were school related. At the moment, he had been helping a young boy, Thomas, put together a homemade holly and poinsettia wreath out of paper, which was almost finished. The boy glued the last paper holly onto the wreath. As he was gluing, Basile folded up the last piece of paper in the form of a poinsettia. Once done, he handed the paper flower to him, who then glued it in its place.
His face lit up, his work complete. "It's finally done!"
Basile chuckled, "Indeed it is, Thomas. Let's set it over here to dry." He set the paper wreath on the desk, placed in a way so the flowers wouldn't move and would stay in place once the glue dried and hardened.
Thomas began to yawn, his tiredness clear as day. "I'm tired, Basile," he said while climbing into bed. "Thank you for helping me with the wreath."
The man tucked him in, smiling. "You're welcome, Thomas."
"I can't wait to see what Santa will bring me," the boy beamed, a wide grin on his face.
"Seeing as you've been good all year round, I'm sure Father Christmas has lots of goodies waiting for you," he said.
Thomas wiggled, clearly excited for the coming Christmas morning.
"So get to sleep quick, for he may be here very soon!"
Giggling, the boy made himself comfortable under the blanket. "Good night, Basile, and Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Thomas," he replied, still smiling warmly. "Good night." He quietly turned off the lamp in the room, then left, closing the door behind him. Sometimes working with kids could be a hassle, but thankfully today was one of the better days. He stretched out a bit, a series of pops emanating from his large frame, then headed down the corridor, Weyer and the ghost in tow.
"How in the world does he manage to put up with so many children?" Weyer wondered aloud.
"Maybe you should ask your lover," was the ghost's simple reply.
Once again, Weyer's heart felt heavy. He was already regretting his words earlier, but now he regretted them even more. The pair followed Basile into the music room, where a choir of boys and girls were singing in German. Weyer recognised the song as O Come All Ye Faithful. He could see Dimitri standing in the alto section with some other boys and girls who sang in that range. Above all, he could see that familiar shock of ginger hair standing in front of the choir, directing them and keeping time. Weyer noted that his mood seemed to have lightened, and pleased at how the choir was doing. He had to admit, they did sound lovely.
A couple of minutes later and the choir finished practising the song. "Wunderbar, Kinder! Absolut wunderbar! I believe you're ready for the performance tomorrow night."
The choir cheered at their accomplishment, elated that all of their hard work and practise was paying off.
"Alright, remember the order of songs we're doing. Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, What Child is This, Good King Wenceslas, The First Noël, and finally O Come All Ye Faithful. Everyone remember?"
"Yes, Agrippa!" the sea of smiling faces sounded out happily.
Agrippa looked over at the clock. "Mein Gott, I barely knew the time! Everyone head to bed, and have a very merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Agrippa!" the choir sounded out once more, then broke off as the children headed to their rooms. The only child that stayed in the room was Dimitri.
Once the rest of the children had gone to bed, Basile stepped forward. "Bonjour, Agrippa."
"Ah, Basile, hallo!" the German greeted his coworker of sorts.
"I have to say the choir sounded magnificent."
"Thank you," he smiled.
"привет, Basile," Dimitri chimed, running up and hugging the large man.
Basile laughed and hugged the boy back. "Hello there, Dimitri. Can't wait for Christmas?" He replied with an eager shake of his head, a smile forming. "Ah, I didn't think so." He turned his attention back to Agrippa. "How's Weyer?"
Agrippa rubbed the back of his neck. "He's been in a bit of a sour mood lately."
Basile sighed. It was so like Weyer to be a sourpuss on Christmas. "Do you think he'll be going to Malo's Christmas dinner?"
"He said he wouldn't."
The larger man groaned. "That's a shame. I was hoping he'd be there, seeing as his old friends will."
"I know." It was Agrippa's turn to sigh. "Maybe he'll have a change of heart."
"Let's hope." Basile glanced at the clock. "I should be heading home. Got to be up early."
"Alright. Gute Nacht, Basile!"
"Goodnight, you two!"
"Night, Basile!"
Once he had left, they shrugged their coats on and were about to make for the door when Verstalt had walked in, still carrying the large package from earlier. "Guten abend, Herr Agrippa."
Agrippa looked up from helping Dimitri with his coat. "Verstalt? Mein Gott, mann, du hast dich verändert."
He chuckled for a moment. "Agrippa, I was wondering if you could do me a favour."
"Sure, what is it?"
Verstalt handed him the large package. "Careful, it's heavy." The older German held it close to his body with both arms so he'd be able to hold it without dropping it. "It's a present for Weyer."
Did he just hear him right? "Verstalt got a present... for me?"
"My stars, man, don't you have ears?" the spirit's voice caused him to jump back in fright. "What's the matter, Weyer?" it asked, a sly smile forming on its lips. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
The Dutchman glared at it. "Brutaal."
"Ah, so you can still speak Dutch."
"S-shut up."
Agrippa was perplexed. "You two weren't on very good terms. Pardon my confusion, but... I don't quite understand."
"That's the point," Verstalt revealed. "I have not been the best person to him and I realise that as I am older and more rational, it was time to make peace and be civil. I just hope he'll accept what I've got him."
"What is it?" Agrippa questioned, curious of what was inside. Verstalt leaned in and whispered to him what the present was so Dimitri wouldn't hear and possibly spoil the surprise. The older German's eyes widened. "He's been wanting that for years, how did you get a hold of one?"
"It was in a discard pile," Verstalt shrugged. "Guess the original owner didn't want it anymore."
Agrippa understood what it meant. Sometimes people would set up discard piles in front of their house, full of things they no longer want. The items are free for the general public to take what they like. It's a common occurrence during the Christmas season, but some people have been known to have a discard pile at different times of the year. The practise started in the East End of London, but with Verstalt finding it in here in Mayfair in central London, it seemed the practise was spreading.
"Well, a friend of ours, Malo, is holding a Christmas dinner tomorrow afternoon," he started, "and quite a few people will be there. Do you think you'd be able to come?"
Verstalt sadly shook his head. "I have to make an overnight ride back to Germany in order to see my family come morning time."
"Understandable," Agrippa nodded. "I'll make sure this gets put under the tree."
"Danke. I best be going now. Frohe Weihnachten, Herr Agrippa."
"Frohe Weihnachten zu Ihnen auch, Verstalt."
Weyer could barely wrap his head around what he just saw and heard. Before he knew it, they were all outside, Agrippa and Dimitri making the trek home.
"Papa?" Dimitri spoke up.
"Yes, Dimi?"
"Are you still mad at Father?"
Agrippa shook his head as they turned a corner. "I can never be mad at your father for very long. His attitude can be infuriating at times, I'll admit, but that doesn't mean I don't love him."
"What were you talking about before we left?"
Such a curious little child they have. He chuckled nervously, "Never you mind about that right now. Just a small misunderstanding, that's all." He patted his son's back gently as they continued walking.
Dimitri continued to ask questions and Agrippa did his best to answer them, but their words were sounding fuzzy to Weyer. He stopped for a moment to think about what he'd just heard his lover say. "Is he... going to leave me...?"
"That depends on your actions, Weyer," the ghost replied. A moment later, it stopped, musing, "Ah, here begins the next part of your journey."
Confused, Weyer turned to see a large, dark portal in the middle of the street. What on Earth was it doing there? "Where the hell did that come from?" The spirit did not answer, but instead led him towards it. "Am I supposed to go through?" It nodded, humming. "But... Agrippa will be home soon. I should-"
"Do not concern yourself with him right this moment," it said, then gestured towards the portal. "Your journey is not over yet. There is still much you must learn."
Curiosity getting the better of him, Weyer slowly stepped through the portal. "What must I learn?" He turned around to address it, but the portal had closed and the Ghost of Christmas Present was nowhere to be seen.